ABOUT THE AREA

The Surrounding Area

Rambla de Oria

The definition of a RAMBLA is a watercourse. This means that when the rain falls on the mountains in certain places for long enough the flood waters will be carried away along the ramblas to the sea, yes this means ours does flood and run like a river from time to time. A wonderful sight to see!

When it's not flooded (which is most of the time) it's a wonderful place to walk along and goes on for miles. You will only get disturbed by the occasion car, tractor or barking dog.

Bar Angelita

This is our local bar 1.7km up the rambla. Run by Frank & Lina. They serve tasty tapas, full plates and do great burgers! Opening hours are 8am to late. They are open Wednesday through Monday, closed on Tuesdays. They have a small shop with a selection of essential groceries. Lina also has a nail bar there if you fancy getting your fingers or toes painted while here.

Oria

This is our nearest town. It has numerous small supermarkets, bars, restaurants and a fuel station. The views from top of the lookout point are amazing and worth the climb up the steps round the hill.

Albox

This is a larger town than Oria and has more facilities. There are numerous large supermarkets including Mercadona and Lidl. There are lots of restaurants, bars, shops and fuel stations.

Restaurant Recommendations

Rambla de Oria - Bar Angelita

This is our local bar 1.7km up the rambla. Run by Frank & Lina. They serve tapas and do great burgers! Open Wednesday to Monday, 08:00 - 23:00, sometime later. They have a small selection of essential groceries. LIna also has a nail bar there if you fancy getting your nails done while here.

Oria - Bar Gasolinera Tel: +34 621 29 69 17

They do great pizzas, tapas and have other great meals on a full menu. Open 7 days a week, usually 06:30 - 24:00. They are located next to the fuel station where there is also a small Carrefour supermarket.

Oria - Pepes Tel: +34 950 12 28 28

A more traditional Spanish bar/restaurant offering full table menu and tapas. They have an outside area and also an enclosed patio area at the front for when its too cold or too hot. Open Sunday - Friday, 07:00 - 24:00. Closed Saturdays.

Albox - Blush Braseria Tel: +34 950 56 28 87

A fairly new restaurant opened only last year, we have been a couple of times and it hasn't disappointed Located by donkey roundabout. Open 7 days a week, 09:00 - 23:00

Albox - La Cena Tel: +34 950 43 09 30

They serve a more traditional English menu, they do a 2/3 course menu for under 20€, which usually includes some wine. They are also GLUTIN FREE Open Wednesday to Saturday, 19:00 - 23:30. It's advisable to ring to book as they are usually busy.

Arboleas - D'luigi Pizzeria Tel: +34 850 99 11 88

Their pizzas are great and a good choice, also gluten free bases. They also offer a good range of pasta dishes. Open Thursday - Tuesday, 18:00 - 23:00. Closed Wednesdays

Places of Interest

Santuario del Saliente

Built during the last decades of the 18th century, the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora del Buen Retiro de los Desamparados del Saliente is one of the most important pilgrimage centres in southeastern Spain. It is located in the municipality of Albox. It houses the well-known Virgen del Saliente, an eighteenth-century image that enjoys great popular devotion in the nearby regions, both in the province of Almería and nearby ones. The Sanctuary was declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest in 1992 and is one of the largest monasteries in Eastern Andalusia. The temple was built on the old hermitage erected in the prehistoric town of Monterroel, a privileged enclave for the first human settlements, due to its location on the historical route that led from the Vélez region to the Almanzora Valley.

The plan of the Sanctuary is rectangular, forty-six meters long by fifty meters wide. It is in baroque style, in transition to the neoclassical. The main facade, open on the Roel esplanade and bordered by retaining walls, consists of two doors open to the atrium of the temple and the portal of the cloister. Two windows that overlook the tribune frame the empty central niche. Located next to the temple are the old dependencies of the chaplain with its artistic wrought iron balcony.

Every September 8th, the religious pilgrimage takes place that goes from the Plaza Mayor in Albox to the Santuario del Saliente.

Thousands of pilgrims walk along the course of the Rambla to reach the Sanctuary, located on the slopes of the Sierra de las Estancias in Cerro Monterroel, about 19 km from Albox. The festival was declared of Andalusian Tourist Interest in 2002.

Opening hours of the Sanctuary

• Wednesday to Sunday 10:30 - 14:00
• Friday to Saturday, 16:00 - 18:00
• Holy Mass - Sundays and Liturgical Festivals at 13:00

Embalse del Negratin - Baza Lakes

The Negratín reservoir is located in the northeast of the province of Granada, Spain, on the bed of the Guadiana Menor River. It is in the municipalities of Guadix, Freila, Zújar, Baza, Benamaurel, Cortes de Baza and Cuevas del Campo.

Artificial lake, where you can swim and practice water sports, with quiet pebble beaches and several cozy restaurants

Pulpi Geode

The Pulpí geode, also called Pilar de Jaravía geode, is a giant geode, covered by huge selenite crystals

The visit is guided at all times. €22.00 Adults. €10.00 Adults Residing in Pulpí (it will be credited at the entrance with ID or registration). €10.00 Children from 8 to 16 years old.

MiniHollywood

Oasys MiniHollywood is a theme park located in the Tabernas desert. At first it was based on the sets that were built for the Western films that were recorded in the province in the 60s and 70

Open Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 - 18:00

Check website for entry prices: Oasys MiniHollywood

Nijar & Cactus Garden

Nijar is a pretty town know for its pottery and textiles. There are many lovely shops along the mail high street packed with lovely pots, rugs and many other decorative item.

There is a lovely church you can look around and opposite a great restaurant Café-Bar La Glorieta where we have eaten most time we've visited Nijar

The Cactus Garden is worth a visit and its FREE to enter. Open from 10:30 - 14:00, 17:00 - 20:00 daily

Beaches - Some of them

Vera Playa

This is the main nudist beach about 45 mins drive. A beautiful sandy beach with free parking and some great restaurants right on the beach front

Mojacar Playa

A beautiful beach that offers everything, with a large number of bar and restaurants within a moments stroll

Garrucha Playa

Urban beach with all the services. Very well located in the city centre. Fine sand and ideal place for family rest.

Villaricos Playa

At the entrance to the town, next to the castle is the Villaricos Beach, easily accessible for the disabled, parking lots, daily cleaning and abundant vegetation. Its sand and rocks are dark, coming from ancient smelter slags, which testify to the fruitful mining past of this enclave. Villaricos has one of the most attractive promenades on the Almeria coast and has two marinas and two diving schools, among many other tourist services.

Local Market Days

You can purchase fruit & veg, clothes, meats & cheeses and a whole lot more!